Wearable exercise apparatus including a balance component

ABSTRACT

A wearable exercise apparatus having a baseplate for retaining a user&#39;s foot is described. The baseplate may have a top surface and a bottom surface. The wearable exercise apparatus has a first bladder. The first bladder is attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate and has a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to the field of exercise aids and, in particular, to exercise aids that include a balance component.

BACKGROUND

Balance training is a type of exercise that emphasizes a person's ability to maintain a posture or stance over the body's base of support. Balance training is often practiced to improve balance and core strength. In its simplest form, balance training involves having a user attempt to maintain their balance while standing on an unbalanced surface. While standing on an unbalanced surface and attempting to maintain balance, the user is engaging and strengthening core muscles as well as engaging and strengthening the muscles in their feet, ankles, calves, thighs, and hips.

Balance training can also be incorporated into more complex movements. For instance, a person can incorporate balance training into a push-up sequence to make the push-up sequence more difficult. To incorporate balance training into a push-up, the push-up may be performed while attempting to balance their upper body on an unbalanced surface. In this way, balance training can be used to provide an extra degree of difficulty when performing exercises a person may regularly preform. By adding balance as an extra component to the exercise, the user may be able to overcome a “plateau.” In exercise science, a plateau may occur when a person's body begins to adapt to his or her current workout routine, resulting in less performance gains from the routine. Many exercises can regain or increase their effectiveness by adding a balance training component to the exercise.

Incorporating balance training components to traditional exercise may be difficult for a number of reasons. Incorporating balance training components to exercise routines that involve the use of bi-lateral body movements may be particularly difficult. A bi-lateral body movement may be a movement that is produced by two limbs working together. For example, a lunge exercise may utilize both legs to produce the lunge movement. Contemporary balance trainers are limited in terms of the number of exercises they are compatible with, especially with respect to bi-lateral-movement exercises, because bi-lateral-movement exercises may utilize two separate unbalanced platforms; one for each movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the disclosure. The drawings, however, should not be taken to limit the disclosure to the specific implementations, but are for explanation and understanding only.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wearable exercise apparatus including a first bladder and a second bladder, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a wearable exercise apparatus, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inflatable bladder, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a flanged bladder, according to one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments described herein address the above noted deficiencies by integrating uneven (i.e., unbalanced) surfaces into a wearable exercise apparatus. By incorporating inflatable bladders into a wearable exercise apparatus, a user may perform exercises that may not be performed using traditional balancing equipment. In one embodiment, the apparatus as described herein may allow a user to incorporate balance training into bi-lateral movements.

In one embodiment, a wearable exercise apparatus may be a wearable device to be worn over a user's shoes. In an alternative embodiment, the wearable exercise apparatus may be worn in place of a user's shoes. The wearable exercise apparatus may include a baseplate for retaining a user's foot. The baseplate may serve as a platform, upon which the use may stand. In one embodiment, the baseplate may be made out of a plastic (e.g., polypropylene) material. The baseplate may have a top surface and a bottom surface. Additionally, the wearable exercise apparatus may include a plurality of inflatable bladders, including a first bladder and a second bladder. The first bladder may be attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate and may have a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.

The wearable exercise apparatus may further include the second bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate adjacent the first bladder. The second bladder may also have a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate. In this example, the first bladder and the second bladder may function to create an unbalanced surface, upon which a user may stand for balance training. In one embodiment, the first bladder may be attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate by a flange. Alternatively, the first bladder may be secured to the baseplate by another fastening means, such as glue or fasteners (screws, rivets, etc.). Moreover, the second bladder may be attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate by a similar means.

In one example, the wearable exercise apparatus includes an ankle support component. The ankle support may include an ankle strap to secure a user's foot against the baseplate and ankle support component. The ankle strap may be adjustable. The ankle strap may include a fastener. In one embodiment, the fastener is a ratcheting mechanism that allows a user to customize fit by adjusting the ratcheting mechanism. Additionally, the wearable exercise apparatus may include a toe strap. The toe strap may be adjustably secured to the track system by a fastener. In one example, a fastener may be a ratcheting mechanism. The toe strap may have a preset length, and the length of the toe strap may be adjustable by the ratcheting mechanism. In other examples, a fastener as described in this disclosure could be any type of fastener or locking mechanism, including but not limited to buckles, tie-downs, belts, laces, etc.

The first bladder and/or the second bladder of the wearable exercise apparatus may be inflatable by a user. In alternative embodiments, the first bladder and/or the second bladder may be pre-inflated by a manufacturer. In one embodiment, the first bladder and/or the second bladder may be made of a polyvinyl chloride material. In other embodiments, the first and second bladders may not be inflatable. In one example, the bladders may be made out of a solid rubber or plastic. The wearable exercise apparatus may use a plurality (e.g., more than two) of bladders to create an uneven surface. Moreover, each of the plurality of bladders can be of a different size. Likewise, the first bladder and/or the second bladder may be interchangeable with a third bladder of a different size.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wearable exercise apparatus 100 including a first bladder 104 and a second bladder 106, according to one embodiment. The wearable exercise apparatus 100 may further include a baseplate 102, a rear ankle support 112, a flexible calf support 114, an ankle strap 116, an ankle strap fastener 118, a toe strap 120, and a toe strap fastener 122.

In one embodiment, wearable exercise apparatus 100 includes baseplate 102. Baseplate 102 may have a top side 103 and a bottom side 105. In one embodiment, top side 103 of baseplate 102 may be shaped or formed to receive and retain a user's shoe. In another example, the top side 103 may be shaped to receive a bare foot. The top side 103 of baseplate 102 may be coated with a rubberized or abrasive material to promote the gripping of a user's shoe and/or bare foot. In one embodiment, the baseplate may be substantially oblong. In an alternative embodiment, the baseplate may be rectangular or contoured to the general shape of a shoe. Baseplate 102 may be made out of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, no-break polypropylene, or another composition of plastic. Alternatively, baseplate 102 may be made out of a wood, metal, any other ridged material or combination or ridged materials.

Wearable exercise apparatus 100 may include a first bladder 104. In one embodiment, the first bladder 104 may be an inflatable rubber or plastic material. The first bladder 104 may be composed of a polyvinyl chloride material or another flexible, durable, and inflatable plastic or rubber material. In one embodiment, the first bladder 104 may be inflated to a pressure of 4 to 30 psi. In various other embodiments, the first bladder 104 may be inflated to other pressures. The inflatable first bladder 104 may include a valve for inflating and deflating the first bladder 104. Alternatively, the bladder may be a composed of a sold plastic or rubber material. In this example, the bladder may not be inflatable. In another embodiment, the first bladder 104 may be pre-inflated from a manufacturer. In this case, first bladder 104 may not include a valve for user inflation. In another embodiment, the first bladder 104 may be interchangeable with other bladders of different sizes. Bladders of different sizes may create different challenges or may be more appropriate for certain users. In one example, the first bladder may support the weight of a user up to 400 pounds.

An inflatable bladder (e.g. the first bladder 104) may comprise an expandable pouch that can be inflated through a valve in the inflatable bladder. Once inflated, the outer surface or sides of the inflatable bladder may have an approximately hemispherical shape. Alternatively, a bladder may not include an expandable pouch. In this embodiment, an expandable pouch may be formed by the bladder's seal to the baseplate when the bladder is secured to the bottom surface 105 of baseplate 102. Securing the bladder 104 to the baseplate 102 using a flange may create an air-tight inflatable pouch or pocket of air between the bottom surface 105 of baseplate 102 and the bladder 104. Using a valve (e.g. valve 230 in FIG. 2) located on the bladder material, the pouch or pocket of air may be expanded in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

Bladder 104 may be secured to the bottom side 105 of the baseplate 102 with a flange (e.g. flange 210 in FIG. 2) to create an air tight seal. In one example, the bottom side 105 of the baseplate 102 may include a circular ridge (e.g. circular ridge 220 in FIG. 2). The circular ridge may be approximately the circumference of the inflated bladder 104. To install bladder 104, the deflated bladder 104 may be placed over the circular ridge and secured in place using a flange that fits within the circular ridge. In one embodiment, tightening or locking the flange of bladder 104 into the ridge pinches bladder 104 within the ridge, creating an air tight seal between the bottom side 105 of the baseplate 102 and the bladder 104. In one embodiment, this operation creates an air tight pocket between the bottom side 105 of the baseplate 102 and the bladder 104, such that bladder 104 may be inflated via a valve (e.g. valve 230 in FIG. 2).

Once inflated, the bladder may have a substantially hemispherical shape. It should be born in mind that in other embodiments, the bladder can take on shapes that are not substantially hemispherical. Once the bladder in secured to the bottom side 105 of the baseplate 102, the bladder 104 may be inflated to a pressure of 4 to 30 psi. In some embodiments, wearable exercise apparatus 100 may support a user weighing up to 400 pounds. In other embodiments, other weight limits may be obtained depending on the material used in construction of the bladder.

Wearable exercise apparatus 100 may include several bladders. In the depicted example, the wearable exercise apparatus 100 has a first bladder 104 and a second bladder 106. In one example, the first bladder 104 and the second bladder 106 may be substantially the same size. However, in other examples, the first bladder 104 and the second bladder 106 may be different sizes and/or inflated to different pressures. In another example, the first bladder 104 and the second bladder 106 can be interchangeable with other bladders of different materials, sizes, and pressures. It should be born in mind that the wearable exercise apparatus 100 may have more than two bladders. In one example, the wearable exercise apparatus may have three or four bladders.

The second bladder 106 may be secured to the bottom side 105 of the baseplate adjacent to the first bladder 104 with a flange to create an air tight seal. The bottom side 105 of the baseplate 102 may include a second circular ridge adjacent to the first circular ridge. The second circular ridge may be approximately the circumference of the second bladder 106 when inflated. To install the second bladder 106, a deflated bladder 106 may be placed over the second circular ridge and secured in place using a circular flange that fits within the second circular ridge. In one embodiment, tightening and/or locking the flange into the ridge pinches the bladder 106 in the ridge creating an air tight seal between the bottom side 105 of the baseplate 102 and the bladder 106. In one embodiment, this operation creates an air tight pocket between the bottom side 105 of the baseplate 102 and the second bladder 106, such that second bladder 106 may be inflated.

In one example, a valve may be used to inflate the second bladder 106. Once inflated, the second bladder 106 may have a substantially hemispherical shape. It should be born in mind that in other embodiments, just as is the case with the first bladder 104, the second bladder 106 may take on shapes that are not substantially hemispherical. Once the second bladder 106 is secured to the bottom side 105 of the baseplate 102, the bladder 106 may be inflated to a pressure of 4 to 30 psi. In some embodiments, wearable exercise apparatus 100 may support a user of up to 400 pounds. Inflating the second bladder 106 may cause the second bladder 106 to have a substantially hemispherical shape.

The wearable exercise apparatus 100 further includes a track system having tracks 108, 110. Tracks 108, 110, may run parallel to a length of the baseplate 102, and may act to guide ankle brace 112 and toe strap 120. Tracks 108, 110 may be secured to baseplate 102 by any known fastening system, such as screws, glue, clamps, or may be molded or formed into the baseplate 102. In other examples, a track system may not be utilized for the apparatus as described in this disclosure.

Wearable exercise apparatus 100 further includes an ankle brace 112. Ankle brace 112 may be made of a polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), no-break polypropylene, or another ridge plastic material. Alternatively, ankle brace 112 can be made of another ridged material such as wood, metal, or a combination of these materials. In one example, ankle brace 112 may be secured to the track system 108, 110. Ankle brace 112 may be adjustable laterally along the track system 108, 110 to accommodate various shoe sizes. In another embodiment, the ankle brace 112 may not be adjustable along the track system 108. For example, the wearable exercise apparatus 100 as described herein may be produced in fixed sizes, to accommodate various foot sizes, without being adjustable. In this instance, base plate 102, ankle brace 112 flexible calf support 114, and straps 116, 120 may be proportionately scaled for the correct foot size. In another embodiment, ankle brace 112 and straps 116, 120 may be fixed directly to base plate 102, without a track system. Moreover, ankle brace 112 may be contoured to retain the calf of a user.

Ankle brace 112 may include a flexible calf support 114 inside ankle brace support 112. Flexible calf support 112 may be contoured to fit a user's calf. Flexible calf support 114 may consist of a variety of materials, such as vinyl or nylon. Ankle support 112 may include an ankle strap 116. When in use, the ankle strap 116 anchors the heel of a user's shoe (or bare foot) to the wearable exercise apparatus 100. Ankle strap 116 may include an adjustable length. The length of ankle strap 116 may be adjusted and secured via a fastener. In one example, a fastener may be a ratcheting mechanism. However, in another embodiment, fastener may be another type of securing mechanism such as Velcro™, laces, buckles, or another securing mechanism.

Wearable exercise apparatus 100 may further include toe strap 120. In one example, toe strap 120 is adjustable along track system 108, 110. By adjusting the toe strap along the track system 108, 110, the toe strap 120 may be adjusted to accommodate different foot or shoe lengths. In another embodiment, toe strap 120 is not adjustable along the track system 108, 110. Toe strap 120 may be secured to the track system 108, 110 by a fastener 122. In one example, the fastener may include a ratcheting system. Alternatively, the fastener could be any other type of locking and/or fastening mechanism. Moreover, toe strap 120 may have an adjustable length. The first adjustable length may be adjusted using the ratcheting fastener 122.

Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of a wearable exercise apparatus 200 is illustrated, according to one embodiment. Wearable exercise apparatus 200 includes a baseplate 120 having a top side 103 and a bottom side 105. Wearable exercise apparatus 200 may include a circular ridge 220 formed into or attached onto the bottom side 105 of baseplate 102 for each bladder (e.g., bladder 104) of the apparatus. Each circular ridge (e.g. circular ridge 220) may have the circumference of its accompanying bladder 104. However, in other embodiments, the circumference of a circular ridge may be larger or smaller than the circumference of the accompanying bladder 104.

The circular ridge 220 may, in part, help keep the bladder 104 stationary while in use. Moreover, in one example, flange 210 may be fastened onto the bottom side 105 of the baseplate 120 immediately over the circular ridge, causing the bladder 104 to be pinched between the circular ridge 220 and the flange 210. In one example, the bladder 104 is a circular sheet of polyvinyl chloride and does not have a built-in expandable air pouch. When the circular sheet of polyvinyl chloride is pinched around its circumference between the flange 210 and the ridge 220, an air tight pouch may be formed that can be inflated to create a hemispherical shaped inflated bladder 104. In this example, the hemispherical shaped inflated bladder 104, or plurality of hemispherical shaped inflated bladders, creates the unbalanced surface that may be used for balance training or other exercise activities.

From the present perspective, a single bladder 104 is depicted. However, it should be born in mind that the exercise footwear device may have a single bladder (e.g., in the center of the exercise footwear device) or several bladders. Each bladder may be secured into an accompanying circular ridge with a flange. In one example, the baseplate may have a circular ridge (e.g. circular ridge 220) for each bladder. In one example, if the wearable exercise apparatus 200 includes two bladders, the wearable exercise apparatus 200 may have a circular ridge for each bladder.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inflatable bladder, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, flange 210 is connected to bladder 104. In one embodiment, bladder 104 may be inflatable by a user. In another embedment, bladder 104 may be inflated during construction, and/or may not be inflatable by a user. Bladder 104 may include valve 302 to aid in the inflating of the bladder. In one embodiment, valve 302 may be a standard inflation value (e.g., the type used to inflate sports balls) to be used in conjunction with a pump inflator. In another embodiment, valve 302 may be an oral inflation valve. FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a flanged bladder, according to one embodiment. Bladder 104, flange 210, and valve 302 are depicted in FIG. 3B.

The preceding description sets forth numerous specific details such as examples of specific systems, components, methods, and so forth, in order to provide a good understanding of several embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least some embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods are not described in detail or are presented in simple block diagram format in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. Particular implementations may vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention.

In the above description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the description.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable exercise apparatus, comprising: a baseplate for retaining a user's foot, the baseplate having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a first bladder, the first bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate and having a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.
 2. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate adjacent the first bladder and having a second substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.
 3. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first bladder is attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate by a flange.
 4. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second bladder is attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate by a flange.
 5. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a track system mounted to the top surface of the baseplate.
 6. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the track system comprises two parallel tracks mounted to the top surface of the baseplate.
 7. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein the two parallel tracks are separated by a first distance.
 8. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an ankle support, wherein the ankle support is mounted on the track system.
 9. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the ankle support comprises a fastener that when actuated, prevents the ankle support from traversing along the track system.
 10. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the ankle support comprises an ankle strap, and wherein the ankle strap is adjustable.
 11. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a toe strap, wherein the toe strap is adjustably secured to the track system by a fastener.
 12. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fastener comprises a ratcheting mechanism.
 13. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the toe strap has a length and wherein the length of the toe strap is adjustable by a ratcheting mechanism.
 14. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first bladder is an inflatable, flexible bladder comprising a valve.
 15. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first bladder comprises a polyvinyl chloride material.
 16. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first bladder is interchangeable with a third bladder having a different size than the first bladder.
 17. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baseplate comprises a polypropylene material.
 18. A wearable exercise apparatus, comprising: a baseplate for retaining a user's foot, the baseplate having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a first bladder, the first bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate and having a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate; a track system mounted to the top surface of the baseplate; an ankle support mounted on the track system, wherein the ankle support comprises an adjustable ankle strap; and an adjustable toe strap, wherein the adjustable toe strap is secured to the track system by a fastener.
 19. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a second bladder, the second bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate adjacent the first bladder and having a second substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.
 20. The wearable exercise apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first bladder is an inflatable, flexible bladder comprising a valve. 